CURRENT AFFAIRS
CURRENT AFFAIRS
Description
A recent analysis, released on November 2, 2023, revealed a stunning revelation: food production accounts for nearly 15% of worldwide fossil fuel usage each year, equivalent to 4.6 gigatonnes of CO2 emissions. This study puts the emissions from food production on par with the total emissions of all European Union countries and Russia. This analysis is the first to provide a complete assessment of worldwide fossil fuel consumption across the whole food supply chain, from farm to table.
Petrochemical Investments Strengthen Carbon Dependence
The data reveals an alarming trend: while the globe shifts away from using fossil fuels for transportation and energy, the fossil fuel sector is increasing its investments in petrochemicals. These investments are utilized to produce plastics, pesticides, and fertilizers, further strengthening the food system's reliance on high-carbon energy sources.
Fossil Fuels Pervade Food Production
The Global Alliance for the Future of Food and Dalberg Advisers analysis demonstrates that fossil fuels play an important role at every stage of the industrial food production value chain. Input production, land usage and agricultural production, processing and packaging, retail, consumption, and trash are examples of these steps.
A Call For Systemic Change
The report, which advocates for a radical reform of food systems, emphasizes the critical need to break the link between food production and fossil fuels. Global food demand is expected to climb by 35-56 percent by 2050 if business as usual continues, resulting in a comparable increase in fossil fuel usage.
Energy Demands Across The Food Chain
Energy is required at several stages of the food production process, including production and packaging, machinery and equipment operation, transportation systems, storage, and cooking. Processing and packaging are the most energy-intensive of these processes, accounting for approximately 42 percent of global energy consumption, followed by retail, consumption, and trash at 38 percent.
The Growing Impact Of Food Transportation
Food transportation is a substantial source of energy consumption, especially since the distance food travels has increased by 25% in the last two decades. As a result of increasing packaging and more severe processing regulations, this trend has resulted in higher emissions.
Waste And High-Energy Retail
Food transportation, embedded plastics, cooking, and food waste all have a significant impact on the "retail, consumption, and waste" stage of the food chain. This effect is particularly obvious in high-income countries, where retail activities necessitate a significant amount of energy due to the consumption of processed foods and the associated refrigeration requirements.
Agricultural Production And Input
The input and agricultural production phases account for 20% of total energy consumption in food systems. Land use and agricultural output account for approximately 15%, while input production, including the fossil fuel-dependent production of fertilizers, accounts for approximately 5%. By 2050, the consumption of fossil fuels in fertilizer manufacturing is predicted to skyrocket.
Corporate Focus And Transformation
The report also highlighted a few huge multinational businesses' dominance in both the agri-food and energy industries. These organizations have a vested interest in preserving the current fossil-fuel- and chemical-dependent industrial food system. The authors underline the importance of addressing corporate power concentration and encouraging the participation of smallholder farmers, small-scale fishers, local communities, and other stakeholders in accomplishing true food system transformation.
Welcome to Notopedia.com, your free learning platform that caters to the diverse needs of students and aspirants across a spectrum of entrance exams and educational endeavors. Whether you're preparing for highly anticipated exams like CAT 2023, NEET 2023, JEE Main, or bank job vacancies, our platform offers a wealth of resources to guide you towards success. Stay up-to-date with the latest exam dates, announcements, and results for various government recruitment exams, including SSC CGL, CHSL, NDA, and UPSC. Explore comprehensive study materials, sample papers, and exam patterns to hone your skills and boost your confidence. From important dates like CBSE Class 10 and 12 date sheets to exam-specific information like JEE Main 2023 application form date, we cover it all. Notopedia.com is your go-to source for everything from admissions and admit cards to scholarships and college information. Whether you're aiming for a career in defense, government, banking, or higher education, our free learning platform equips you with the knowledge and resources you need to excel. Join us in your educational journey and unlock a world of opportunities, guidance, and comprehensive support.
For more Updates and Information - Visit Notopedia's Bulletin Board
For Latest Sarkari Jobs - Visit Notopedia's Sarkari Jobs Section
For access to more than 20,000 Colleges - Visit Notopedia's College Section
For School Studies and Exams Preparation across 14 Boards - Visit Notopedia's School Section
For Comprehensive Preparation of Sarkari Job Exams - Visit Notopedia's Sarkari Exams Section
